However, i know that discrimination is real in the trades, although my husband is still learning.

Since you're out of a W2 job, you may have the flexibility to find a market you like and spend a little time there building a team and getting to know a lot of subs and trades.

In prime Boston areas everything is trading in the 4-5 cap range.

1- you already have many people who brought years ago and they have tons of equity...I like to call them accidental millionaires ;)  most want to stay here and they can trade up easily. 2- there is always a very small amount of properties for sale in these impacted markets.

If you have any question about what would happen in an emergency, all you needed to do was watch the news today.

On SFRs, compute your cash on cash return and determine if you're making a sufficient return on the money you put in.As with any investment, you should trade off the expected return with the risk.

Sure you could go into sales or a trade and make some OK money in your early 20s, but over time that 4-years in college is time well spent.

Working with a team is a great way to leverage your time and to learn the basics of the trade!

With trades and mechanical work.

Best bet  is to get a job doing construction.If you do do GC YOU WILL NEED CONTACTS for all the sub trades, as well as a knowledge of most of them.